Match Pack: Watford v Leeds United

• Watford v Leeds United
• Premier League
• Vicarage Road
• Saturday April 9, 3pm BST

Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistants: Simon Long, Scott Ledger
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Mike Dean
Assistant VAR: Neil Davies

Leeds are currently 16th in the Premier League, having managed to get seven out of nine available points from their past three fixtures, and seven out of 15 under recently-appointed Head Coach Jesse Marsch.

The Whites fell out of the form they had achieved in their previous campaign under Marcelo Bielsa, who brought them up from the Championship in the 2019/20 campaign, and are now looking to maintain their good run to keep them clear of the relegation zone.

• Since, and including, the 3-0 victory over Leeds in the 2006 Championship play-off final, Watford have netted 30 times in just 14 matches with Leeds in all competitions, only averaging more goals-per-game versus Fulham (2.3) of opponents they’ve faced at least five times over the same period (2.14 v Leeds).

• The Hornets have beaten Leeds in three successive home matches in all competitions, one more victory than they managed over the first nine such games with the Whites.

• Watford manager Roy Hodgson’s two home games against Leeds have produced a total of 12 goals. He beat them 4-1 with Crystal Palace last season, and lost 4-3 with Blackburn in September 1997 – a game that saw all seven goals scored in the opening 33 minutes.

For a full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Leeds United In Numbers.

The Hornets have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s clash.

Winger Kwadwo Baah has recovered from an ankle problem and is back in full training with Hodgson’s first-team squad.

Kalvin Phillips and Liam Cooper returned to Leeds' side in last week's draw with Southampton, and are available this weekend.

Joe Gelhardt is also in contention, but Patrick Bamford and Junior Firpo are set to miss out.

Roy Hodgson, Watford manager:
“We’re all in a fight together, and it’s up to us to win that fight. At the moment I’d be loathed to accept any real criticism of our team, because I think they’re working as hard as we can expect them to work, and they’re doing their level best in every game.

“Although we lost last weekend I’d like to see a lot more of the same [against Leeds], because I thought we pushed them [Liverpool] hard and put in a wholehearted performance. Of course I’d like to see us be more successful in front of goal, but if our situation is to change it’ll be because our players continue to roll their sleeves up.”

Jesse Marsch, Leeds United Head Coach:
“I think Watford are a really disciplined, defensive group. They don't give much away, they stay pretty organised, they stay very compact. Sometimes they defend deep but are often incredibly aggressive and lethal in transition.

“They have the second-most chances and shots in transition in counter phases in matches in the league. It's because they really try to play to their strengths. So, we have to be very aware that Watford are often most dangerous when we have the ball.”

Overall:

• Won 11
  
• Drawn 6
  
• Lost 9
  

Last Six:
October 2021: Leeds 1-0 Watford (Premier League)
February 2016: Watford 1-0 Leeds (FA Cup)
February 2015: Leeds 2-3 Watford (Championship)
August 2014: Watford 4-1 Leeds (Championship)
April 2014: Watford 3-0 Leeds (Championship)
December 2013: Leeds 3-3 Watford (Championship)

Under the stewardship of Aidy Boothroyd the Hornets reached the Premier League in emphatic fashion in 2006, seeing off Leeds United 3-0 in the Championship play-off final with goals from Jay DeMerit and Darius Henderson, and a Neil Sullivan own goal.